The Directorate of Criminal Investigations has strongly dismissed allegations made by former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, who accused the agency of being involved in enforced disappearances, police shootings, and mysterious deaths that have occurred in recent months across the country.
In a heated exchange that has gripped the nation, the DCI released a scathing statement on Tuesday evening, August 11, categorically denying what they termed as "baseless and unsubstantiated allegations" leveled against them by the DCP party leader. The agency accused Gachagua of making explosive claims intended to undermine public confidence in law enforcement institutions.
Earlier that day, Gachagua had called a lengthy press conference where he launched a blistering attack on the government, specifically targeting security agencies over their alleged involvement in abductions, extrajudicial killings, and other serious crimes rocking the country.
The former DP painted a grim picture of Kenya experiencing a complete breakdown of law and order, claiming that DCI Director Mohamed Amin had been deployed specifically to provide cover for alleged extrajudicial killings and abductions.
Gachagua did not stop there. He also brought up the high-profile deaths of Dr Victoria Mutiso and lawyer Matthew Kyalo Mbobu, alleging that police officers were directly linked to both cases.
He accused the DCI of actively covering up their alleged involvement in these deaths, further fueling tensions between the opposition and security agencies.
However, the DCI has hit back hard, standing firmly behind their record and mandate. The agency maintained that all of Gachagua's claims were unsubstantiated, making it clear that any allegations involving abductions, disappearances, deaths, police shootings, or attacks on journalists are investigated thoroughly where they fall within the DCI's mandate. They stressed that all cases are assessed on the basis of available evidence, not political pressure.
In a strongly worded statement, the DCI categorically stated that they do not sanction, facilitate, conceal, or participate in criminal conduct of any kind whatsoever.
The agency emphasized that their mandate is clear: to investigate serious and complex crimes, gather solid evidence, and present cases to prosecutorial and judicial authorities for appropriate action.
The agency also took issue with suggestions that their investigations are influenced by political affiliations. They made it abundantly clear that no individual is above the law and that public prominence does not determine how a criminal investigation is conducted.
According to the DCI, investigative outcomes and subsequent decisions are guided purely by evidence and the law rather than political considerations.
The DCI further criticized what they described as the exploitation of deaths of public figures and private citizens to advance political narratives. They argued that such claims unfairly exploit grieving families for political gain, describing this trend as deeply concerning and insensitive to those mourning their loved ones.
Despite mounting pressure from the opposition, the Directorate reiterated that they would not disclose sensitive operational information on ongoing cases.
They maintained that suspects would be processed in accordance with the law where investigations establish criminal culpability, warning that their work must not be compromised by political grandstanding.
In a bid to demonstrate their commitment to justice, the DCI also provided updates on two specific investigations mentioned in their statement. Detectives in Cheptais successfully arrested one of the suspects linked to the August 8 murder of businessman Nathan Masai Wasama, who was killed at his shop in Tuikut Trading Centre. The agency said detectives are actively pursuing further leads to establish the motive and apprehend other suspects involved in the killing.
On Gachagua's claims that suspects in the murder of PCEA Tabuga Church Reverend Julius Ndomia Ngari had gone free, the DCI set the record straight by revealing that two suspects had actually been arrested and arraigned over the May 3 murder in Nakuru North. This revelation appeared to directly contradict the former DP's assertions.
The DCI has now challenged Gachagua and members of the public with information concerning alleged criminal activity to submit it through official investigative channels. They assured Kenyans that credible information would be assessed and acted upon in accordance with the law, urging citizens to have faith in the country's investigative institutions.
The ongoing war of words between the former Deputy President and the DCI highlights the growing tensions between the opposition and security agencies as Kenya continues to grapple with concerns over human rights violations and the rule of law. With both sides holding firm to their positions, Kenyans are left watching closely to see how this high-stakes political drama will unfold.
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